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Assignment 5 Academic Writing

A silver serving dish, created circa 1890 by Folgate Silver Company, is currently being auctioned for $299 starting bid and is described as being Rococo styled. However, the Rococo style of design originates from 1730 to 1765, over 100 years prior. This serving dish proves that the Rococo style of design is not constrained by the Rococo period.

With its ornate flowing handle, the serving dish definitely fits the Rococo style of “Sinuous, organic, sensuous” as described by Hunter-Stiebel (2008). Furthermore the shell and leaf design on the corners reinforces this fact as Crawford (2008) states how Rococo is “Based on natural forms like water and seashells”.

By comparison the Art Nouveau style, a similar style popular during 1880 to 1910, could be argued as the influence for this piece. However, Art Nouveau is described by Meisler (2000) as “lavish with arabesques and whiplash curves, botanical and zoological forms, portraits of seductive women and a decadent symbolism.” For this reason it follows that the serving dish is in fact in the style of Rococo rather than Art Nouveau.

In conclusion, despite its creation during the Art Nouveau era, the silver serving dish is in the style of Rococo. Thus, this proves that the Rococo style has in fact endured well past the end of the Rococo Period.

References:

Hunter-Stiebel, P. (2008, March 3) The Continuing Curve. Rococo: The Continuing Curve, p. 3 Retrieved from http://schoolofdesign.ac.nz/mod/resource/view.php?id=1313‎

Crawford, A. (2008, May 1) Curves Ahead. Smithsonian, 39(2), p. 38 Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.helicon.vuw.ac.nz/ehost/detail?sid=087cf07f-95b1-45f0-b93a-f38dab957ce5%40sessionmgr12&vid=1&hid=23&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=31790911

Meisler, S. (2000, October 1) Art Nouveau, Smithsonian, 31(7), p.74 Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.helicon.vuw.ac.nz/ehost/detail?sid=28dec1c8-d3f2-4515-8048-faab92ac73fc%40sessionmgr15&vid=1&hid=23&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=3583975

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DSDN 171 Project 4: Trade-Me Hunt

While searching on Trade-Me, I came across this Rococo styled silver plate serving dish. The Rococo style is best described by Hunter-Stiebel (2008), “Sinuous, organic, sensuous – that is the mantra of this project”. I believe that this original silver piece created circa 1890, while not from the Rococo era of 1730 to 1765, with its ornate flowing handle and shell and leaf design on the corners with a rope design around the edges most definitely fits this style. The seller ‘Sorebones’ very accurately describes this piece in his listing, even researching the hallmark, belonging to Folgate Silver Company. As far the pieces condition goes the only blemishes being 2 tiny flakes on the inside of the bottom, the largest of which is shown in the last photo. Other than the patina or small scratches from previous usage the piece is in excellent condition. One could argue that due to the time period of this pieces origin that it is Art Nouveau rather than Rococo, however while Art Nouveau was indeed a resurgence of Rococo themes during 1880 to 1910, the flowing organic curves of this piece are far more reminiscent of Rococo than the slender whiplash curves of Art Nouveau. At a modest starting bid of $299 and but now of $335, compared to the price of a knockoff ranging as low as $70, this piece is worth the price difference. Sources Hunter-Stiebel, P. (2008, March 3) The Continuing Curve. Rococo: The Continuing Curve, p. 3 Original Auction http://www.trademe.co.nz/antiques-collectables/silver-metalware-tins/silver/silver-plate/auction-592480815.htm

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Final Curatorial Poster

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Raymond Loewy Presentation

Raymond Loewy from David Pasanen

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Why a Multimedia Library is a good thing, and sources on Raymond Loewy

Why I think having a multimedia library is both relevant and a good thing:

We now live in the information age, where the wealth of human knowledge is seemingly at our fingertips. It seems easy then, to come to the assumption that libraries are outdated in comparison, a relic of a bygone era. However, while the internet is seemingly an endless supply of knowledge, most search engines (such as Google) barely scratch the surface.  How then, do we find the relevant information and source materials needed for our research?

This is where libraries come in, or more specifically, multimedia libraries. While many libraries contain hard copies of scholarly texts and other peer-reviewed publications, multimedia libraries such as ours in the Te Aro Campus, extend further beyond that. That journal you want is signed out? Check to see if there is an online copy. Not quite sure what you’re looking for? The ‘Te Waharoa’ search engine will be able to return far more relevant results than a standard web search engine.

These are just a few of the many benefits to having access to a multimedia library, and why if anything, libraries have become even more expansive and useful in this day and age.

References on Raymond Loewy

Gary Kulik. (2003, July) Raymond Loewy: Designs for a Consumer Culture. Technology and Culture, Vol. 44, No. 3, p. 566-573

Paul Priestman. (1991, June) Dream designing. RSA Journal, Vol. 139, No. 5419, p. 467-468.

Glenn Porter. (2003, September/October) Raymond Loewy's designs in motion. Humanities, Vol. 24, No.5, p. 17-19

Dennis Karwatka. (2000, October) Raymond Loewy refining America's product designs. Tech Directions, Vol. 60, No. 3, p. 13

Loewy, R. (1938) Taxi of the Future [Drawing]. Woodstock, N.Y. Retrieved from Slide and Photograph Image Retrieval Online

Loewy, R. (1939) Greyhound Bus [Photograph] Twentieth century limited: industrial design in America, 1925-1039 Philadelphia. Retrieved from Slide and Photograph Image Retrieval Online